Shloka 47
अध्याय ९ — कर्णस्य प्रहारः, योधयुग्मनियोजनम्, शैनेय-कैकेययोर्युद्धविन्यासः
विरथं सहसा कृत्वा भीमसेनमथाहसत् । सहदेवं च निर्जित्य शरै: संनतपर्वभि:
virathaṃ sahasā kṛtvā bhīmasenam athāhasat | sahadevaṃ ca nirjitya śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Bigla niyang ginawang walang-karwahe si Bhīmasena, at saka siya tumawa. At matapos ding daigin si Sahadeva sa pamamagitan ng mga palasong maayos ang pagkakabuo ng mga dugtungan, ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagdiin ng pagsalakay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata tension: battlefield success can tempt a warrior toward mockery and humiliation of the fallen. It implicitly raises the ethical question of restraint—whether victory should be accompanied by dignity rather than contempt—especially when opponents are rendered helpless (e.g., made chariotless).
In the course of the battle narration, a warrior (contextually, an opposing champion) suddenly makes Bhīma chariotless and laughs in triumph; he then also overcomes Sahadeva using well-made arrows, indicating a swift sequence of tactical dominance over two Pāṇḍava fighters.